Everyone’s path is unique, and that is certainly true for BEAUTY CHANGES LIVES | VIDAL SASSOON PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM – BASIC Fall 2016 winner Cameron Kepford. He owned his own salon before becoming a licensed cosmetologist. We were excited for the opportunity to ask him a few questions about his story.

BCL: You had a unique path in the beauty industry. You became a salon-owner before going to cosmetology school. Please tell us a bit more about that part of your journey.

CK: My entire career has been in the beauty industry. I have had many roles and have worn many hats… Manager, Director, Marketing, Make-up Artistry, Graphic Design, Consulting, etc. Having these multiple creative outlets still wasn’t enough. After my business partners and I opened our salon Haus of Heir, my passion for hairdressing flourished. Two years into growing HOH, my partners demanded I took the next step in following my dream and I was enrolled in beauty school that next week!

BCL: It’s been a year since you won the Beauty Changes Lives Vidal Sassoon Scholarship. How did winning the scholarship change your life? How did it change your salon?

CK: Winning the BCLVS Scholarship was an incredible honor. To have a foundation that recognized my path and vision was truly amazing. I told myself that I wasn’t going to let winning change my life… but I would make it my mission to change many others. I’m beyond thrilled that very soon we will be revealing something that we’ve been working on the past year. This is going to change me, my salon, and the community. Stay tuned 😉

BCL: What advice do you have for someone who might be thinking about applying for a Beauty Changes Lives scholarship?

CK: Ask yourself why? There are so many deserving individuals out there that deserve the honor of receiving this scholarship. Be genuine, authentic, and vulnerable.

BCL: Please tell us what you are up to right now.

CK: My life has been a whirlwind! The day I was awarded the scholarship was the day I graduated cosmetology school. I have had the opportunity to travel the world, work with elite brands, work with celebrities, won contests, competed in national competitions, been featured in industry magazines, have had social media exposure on different channels. Everyday is a pinch me moment and I don’t ever want it to stop!

You can follow Cameron on Instagram @cameronkepford , on Facebook Cameron Kepford or  Snapchat cameron.kepford. If you’re in Iowa you can visit him at his salon Haus of Heir.